Digital professions : what place for graphic design ?

But, what is graphic design ?

First, we can’t talk about the professionals without discussing the profession itself. So, before we venture into the realm of graphic designers, it’s important to understand what their job means and what it entails. Thus, graphic design, in its definition, can be considered as a discipline that initially consists of creating graphic elements (drawings, typographic characters, logos, graphic charters, etc.).

Then follows the selection of these graphic elements to use them to create one or more communication objects. So, graphic design is, more simply, the art or way of conveying a message, of making a representation. And, of course, the graphic designer is the professional who is responsible for giving shape to these graphic elements.

Even if the advent of new technologies in our century has brought this profession to light in a new way, its origins are very distant. Indeed, the origins of graphic design would date back many years before Christ, with the paintings in the Lascaux cave already being the first vestiges of it. So, this is to say that this form of communication was one of the very first of our species.

How to become a graphic designer ?

Because, as with any respectable profession, to become a “graphic designer“, one must obviously undergo appropriate training. Firstly, to become a graphic designer, an attestation of college studies (ACS), a diploma of college studies (DCS) or a bachelor’s degree (preferably STD2A) is necessary. Secondly, in addition to these diplomas, imagination skills, design and communication abilities are key factors for conveying a message with few words.

Moreover, nowadays, there are many schools and institutes that train designers. Because these trainings are obviously degree-granting. As diplomas, we have for example the BTS in visual communication (2-year degree), the professional license in visual communication (3-year degree) or the specialized master’s in graphic design (5 years and more).

Indeed, these degrees are issued either by art schools, design schools, internet schools, or others. Also, each of them offers an appropriate curriculum to train competent professionals capable of meeting the ever-growing needs of the market.

So, in which sector can a graphic designer work ?

Finally, depending on the direction they have given to their training, the graphic designer can work in several sectors. One of these sectors is advertising. Moreover, this sector includes Brand Strategy and packaging (conditioning, packaging, and product design), corporate design (name research, logo creation…) or even commercial architecture (design of points of sale).

And, does the graphic designer earn a good living ?

Consequently, one might rightly wonder if the graphic designer earns a good living. Indeed, yes. In fact, the profession of graphic designer provides well for its practitioners. Because the graphic designer can be employed in an advertising agency or communication agency, a creative studio, a publishing house or the communication department of a company. But, they can also work as a freelancer. In each of these scenarios, the average gross monthly salary would be around €1900.

So, to conclude

So, in summary, graphic design does not date from our era. Indeed, it was already present long before the advent of our era, that of “modern Man”. Then, with the development of new communication tools, graphic design has become very present and in almost all sectors. However, to practice this profession, one must meet certain criteria. And, it is also necessary to follow the appropriate training. Moreover, specialized schools exist and will allow those who desire to become seasoned professionals in the graphic design industry. Because, far from being just a hobby or a secondary activity, the profession of graphic designer is a full-time job that benefits from good remuneration.